Convertible table



y 8, 1956 E. F. SCHILD CONVERTIBLE TABLE Filed June 17, 1954 INVEN TOR. 222422717 SkizZd Km K United States, Patent ce CONVERTIBLE TABLE 1 Q FISchild, Schiller Park, Ill. Application June 17, 1954, Serial No. 437,317 3 Claims. (Cl. 312-1403) 3 My invention relates to a table convertible to two different depths and having means for providing a third level.

Among the objects of my invention is to provide a table for the display and sale of produce or other merchandise having a substantial depth for large articles, a more shallow depth for smaller goods and adapted to be made flat when so required.

Another object is to provide a reversible table having different service depths and at all times maintaining a uniform height.

Another object is to provide improved details of construction for such a table.

My invention also contemplates such other objects, advantages and capabilities which will later more fully appear, and which are inherently possessed by my invention.

While I have shown in the accompanying drawings a preferred embodiment of my invention, yet it is to be understood that the same is susceptible of modification and change without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, Fig. 1 is a top plan view of my convertible table; Fig. 2 is an elevational view on line 22 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a topplan view of the base; Fig. 4 is an elevational sectional view of the top with the insert in place; Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the insert; Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the channel; Fig. 7 is an enlarged, detailed sectional view showing the top with the larger depth; and Fig. 8 is a similar view showing the top with the shallow depth; Fig. 9 is a detailed sectional view showing the operation of the clip or bracket; and Fig. 10 is a detailed plan view of one corner of my base.

The embodiment selected to illustrate my invention comprises a base 10 formed with a pair of opposite end panels 11 and 12 and a pair of opposite side panels 13 and 14. Each end panel has a rounded portion 15 at each end with a flange 16 extending on substantially the same axis as the side panel. Each side panel is straight and has at each end a flange 17 extending substantially at right angles to the side panel and at its end abutting flange 16 of the adjacent end panel. A plurality of bolts 18 extend through flanges 16 into the adjacent end panels and are held there by nuts 19.

A pair of spaced offset brackets 20 and 21 are attached to the top portions of each of the side panels 13 and 14. A pair of spaced channels 22 and 23 are mounted on base 10. Each of said channels has a pair of spaced slots 24 and 25 in one of its intermediate flanges 26 and a pair of spaced slots 27 and 28 in one of its outer flanges 29.

Said channels 22 and 23 may be mounted on said base 10 with brackets 20 and 21 extending into either slots 24 and 25 or slots 27 and 28.

A top 30 has a tray portion 31 and a lip or flange 32 surrounding the tray on all sides, said flange being substantially deeper on one surface of the tray than on the 2,744,806 Patented May 8, 1956 2 other. While I do not want to be limited to these exact measurements and give them only for purposes of illustration, I have found that a flange providing a 4 inch depth on-one side and 1 inch on the other side is well received inthe trade.

The top 30 is mounted on the channels 22 and 23. A

l 4 plurality of spaced holes 33 are provided in the tray 31,

which line up with holes 34 provided in the channels to receive removable tie-in bolts 35.

When it is desired to use the top 30 with the larger depth, the channels are placed with their body portions 46 lying on the side panels and brackets 20 an 21 extend into slots 24 and 25 in intermediate flanges 26. This lowers the height of the channels and the height of the top 30.

When it is desired to use the top with the shallower depth, the channels are placed with their intermediate flanges 26 resting on side panels 13 and 14, with brackets 20 and 21 extending into slots 27 and 28 of their outer flanges 29. This raises the height of the channels and the height of top 30, so that the height is substantially the same as when the top is used with the greater depth as hereinbefore set forth.

This uniformity of height is desired and in some instances required in many stores using applicants tables.

When it is desired to have a flush table, insert 36 having a top 37 and a plurality of downwardly extending flanges 38 spaced by cut outs 39 at the corners is placed within the flanges 32 on its lesser depth.

Tray 32 is provided with a plurality of openings 40 for the removable attachment by suitable bolts 41 of a signholder 42 adapted to hold a sign for advertisement of the goods being sold on the table.

In use my table is particularly adapted toward the display and sale of goods in a food store of the self-service type. When large goods, such as melons, squash, or other large fruits and vegetables are offered, the deep flanged position of my table is desirable. Smaller fruits and vegetables would be more satisfactorily displayed and sold with the top in shallow position. In the sale of bakery or canned goods, the insert may be used to provide the desired flush or flat top table.

In all positions my table has the same over-all height, due to my adjustable channel members which may be adjusted to compensate for the differences caused by the flange height used. This uniformity in height is required in many food stores, both for appetizing appearance and ease of approach to stimulate sales.

While I have shown a substantially square base with end and side panels of similar dimensions, yet I may provide an oblong base by increasing the extent of my side panels. In order to support my correspondingly oblong shaped top, I would provide more spaced oil set brackets on my extended side panels to receive more spaced channel members.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A reversible table comprising a base, supporting means adjustably mounted on said base, a top having a deep surface and a shallow surface removably mounted on said supports, said supporting means being of greater height on one portion than another, so that when the shallow surface of the top is to be exposed, said supports are mounted on said base at their position of greater height, and when the deep surface of the top is to be exposed, said supports are mounted on said base at their position of less height, so that the height of the top will be substantially the same for both exposures.

2. A convertible table comprising a base, a top having a pair of opposite tray portions and a surrounding lip positioned higher with relation to one tray portion than the other tray portion so as to provide a deeper tray and a shallower tray, said top removably mountable on said shallower tray on said base for exposing the deeper tray, said top also removably mountablev on said deeper tray on said base for exposing the shallower tray.

3. A convertible table comprising a base, a plurality of channel members. removably mounted on said base, a top having a deeper tray on one side and a shallower tray on the opposite side, said channel members of greater height. on one leg than on another leg thereof, .so that when the shallow tray of said top is removably' positioned on the channel members lying on said base at their position of least height, or when the deeper tray of said top is removably positioned on said channel members lying on said base in their position of greatest height, the height of thetop. is substantially the same.

UNITED STATES PATENTS Jan. 27, 1942 

